BELARUS – The 2018 edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. Twenty broadcasters participate at the event. Azerbaijan, Israel and France return to the event, while Kazakhstan and Wales will have their debut at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.

On the 25th of November, the 2018 edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Belarus’ capital Minsk. Twenty countries will participate. The oikotimes.com’s Junior Europrediction (3414 votes) predict Kazakhstan and France to win. Similar results including Armenia is predicted by other web polls.

Albania will be represented by Efi Gjika and her song Barbie.
Armenia is represented by L.E.V.O.N who sings L.E.V.O.N.
Australia’s fourth ever Junior Eurovision participant is Jael. She will sing Champion.
Fidan Huseynova will represent Azerbaijan with her song I Wanna Be Like You. Azerbaijan returns to the competition after an absence of five years.
Daniel Yastremski will represent host country Belarus with his song Time.
Marija Spasovska will represent the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia with her song Doma.
France is back after a long time absence at the contest. Angélina will represent the country with the song Jamais Sans Toi.
Tamar Edilashvili will sing ‘Your Voice’ for Georgia.
Taylor Hynes will represent the Republic of Ireland with his song IOU.
Israel returns to the contest with Noam Dadon and his song Children Like These.
Melissa & Marco will represent Italy with the song What Is Love.
Kazakhstan will make it’s debut at the 2018 Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Daneliya Tuleshova will sing the song Өзіңе сен (Òzińe Sen).
Ela will represent Malta with the song Marchin’On.
Roksana Węgiel will represent Poland with the song Anyone I Want To Be.
Rita Laranjeira represents Portugal with the song Gosto de Tudo (Já Não Gosto de Nada).
Anna Filipchuk represents last years winning country Russia with her song Unbreakable.
Bojana Radovanović will represent Serbia with the song Svet. Max & Anne will represent
The Netherlands with their song Samen.
Darina Krasnovetska will represent Ukraine with her song Say Love.
And the second debuting country is Wales. Manw will sing Perta.

🚨 BREAKING NEWS
LISBON 🇵🇹 During the UK performance SuRie got victim off invasion incident by a member of the audience which we cannot call him a Eurofan. EBU and RTP immediately decided for the song to be performed again at the end of all performances. SuRie remained calm and gave a professional continuation to her performance. Congratulations SuRie. Thee team of http://www.oikotimes.com condemns the incident.

ITALY 🇮🇹 For once Italy is not destroying it’s great entry with a cheap staging. That’s a classy entry and so is the staging. Simple, with (lots) of lyrics on screen. I’m not sure but the vocals were not the best tonight, and Ermal touched his ear several times. Technical problem? Whatever, that’s a great entry and it deserves to rank well, even if it is just for the message the two men deliver.

9 months ago

CYPRUS 🇨🇾 According to many, she’s the hot favourite. Well, to be honest, this is just perfect. Eleni set the arena (and press centre) on fire immediately and the burning lasts 3 minutes non stop. If the contest was 100% public vote, for sure we would be heading to Cyprus in 2019. Nevertheless, I’m not sure national juries (especially the Western Europe ones) will put her on top of their list. The “Beyoncé-Paparizou” copycat effect may disturb some of them. Anyhow, what a performance from Cyprus this year, and people go crazy along with her sexy moves.

9 months ago

IRELAND 🇮🇪 He was the best surprise ever on Tuesday night, and his popularity is growing bigger day after day; Ryan is delivering a nice and very moving performance with his ballad and perfect voice. Just like Germany the lyrics are so beautiful, and this act included as well a very nice staging with those 2 young male dancers in love. After years of failure, 2018 should be the year when Ireland comes back under the spotlight. Once again, a very serious dark horse…

9 months ago

THE NETHERLANDS 🇳🇱 Maybe the most professional act this year (together with Italy), this is Waylon from the Netherlands. What a voice and what a performance! OK, country may be not the easiest type of music to perform on Eurovision, but believe it, it works pretty well and juries should like it. I’d say that those who hated Israel will love “Outlaw In’em” and vice versa.

9 months ago

ISRAEL 🇮🇱 Even if her popularity faded a bit since the semi-final, Netta remains the favourite for many. It’s clearly different and entertaining. This girl is a show woman by essence and her performance is just wow and memorable. Even if it’s a “love it or hate it” entry, do not burry Israel too soon…

9 months ago

HUNGARY 🇭🇺 The rock (hard rock?) entry of the year. Absolutely not my type of music but I must admit that it looks really good on screen and that AWS are giving a great performance. It’s perfect, entertaining, and the jumping in the audience at the end is quite a good idea. Hungary will surprise us this year, I can tell.

9 months ago

🛑 BREAKING NEWS
🇷🇺 Alsou will reveal the results of the Russian jury during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 tomorrow night.

9 months ago

SWEDEN 🇸🇪 A good looking singer, a catchy tune, a professional and very neat (not to say mechanical) staging, yes, this is Sweden. “Dance You Off” is clearly inspired by Timberlake, and it’s a very strong entry from the Kingdom of Eurovision. It’s just perfect, even if I would say that this Swedish act (just like last year) clearly lacks some emotion or sharing with the audience. Just like a music video live on stage. But it will do well for sure.

MOLDOVA 🇲🇩 From dark to colour, here is the fun entry of the year (in a nice sense). Yes it’s a bit too much, yes the staging is a bit exhausting to follow, yes the song is very kitsch, but it works very well in the arena and press centre. After all, this is Eurovision, and we need entries like this as well. It definitely stands out, and given the absence of most CIS countries in the final, Moldova will do very well this year and DoReDos deserve it.

9 months ago

BULGARIA 🇧🇬 The dark act of the night, and it is very dark indeed, in the staging and in the performance. For sure, this is something different that easily stands out after Saara Aalto. It is very professional, neat and quite efficient on screen. Once again, let’s not underestimate the chances of Bulgaria this year. Juries will support it I think.

9 months ago

FINLAND 🇫🇮 Thank God there was a break between Australia and Finland, because those 2 entries could have killed each other since there are made of the same vibe. Nevertheless, Saara’s act has much more gimmicks (not to say too much). It’s a very good Euro dance entry and the Finnish lady has a voice for sure, and she seems to refrain from screaming, at least until the last 30 seconds of the song. It’s very catchy and the whole arena is behind her. Not sure juries will go for this one though.

9 months ago

AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺 Jessica (and her lovely dress…) are on now. Once again, she sounds better than during rehearsals, far from flawless though. The dance moves are now less awkward, and for sure, Eurovision fans will go for this one. Great reactions for Australia.

9 months ago

DENMARK 🇩🇰 It may be the 100th times I see this act and it’s Viking staging, it still works. Rasmussen and its fellow singers have really great voices and the snow effect is rather pleasant at the end of the act. Denmark is proposing something different and original this year and the audience’s reactions are really good. This should stand out in the line-up and please some juries (especially Nordic ones).

9 months ago

🛑 BREAKING NEWS: Ireland 🇮🇪 re-established just now as third hot favourite for the trophy

9 months ago

CZECH REPUBLIC 🇨🇿 Mikolas is as good as fun to watch. This is definitely the best Czech entry to date. Great rhythm, catchy, original, very TV friendly… well,as expected, it’s a show we’re given tonight. The audience just loves him! Watch out for this young guy.

9 months ago

FRANCE 🇫🇷 Madame Monsieur are on stage now. Immediately after the first notes of the song, the audience started clapping to the electro rhythm of the French ballad. Emilie really knows how the catch the light, and even if the staging is not exceptionally good, it does work on screen especially the “Merci, Merci” part of the song with a strong connection with the audience. Reactions in press centre and the arena are just incredible. The biggest so far…

9 months ago

ALBANIA 🇦🇱 Eugent is, in my opinion, the best voice in this year’s contest. “Mall” is a nice rock ballad, and another good surprise from semi-final 1. The staging has nothing special, but once again, the singer’s performance does the job to perfection. Albania should get some good points from juries this year, and given the public’s reaction, they may reach their best placing to date.

9 months ago

GERMANY 🇩🇪 A huge WOW for Michael! It’s the first time in 5 years that an entry makes me feel so emotional. It’s like a modern version of Sobral, with a clever staging. The last minute of the song is just perfect and the lyrics… so touching. The audience loves him for sure (and so do I).

9 months ago

SERBIA 🇷🇸 Are you up for a trip to the Balkans? I hope so because Serbia is the most ethnic song this year. The singers are flawless and the staging is not bad at all. For sure, this surprising qualifier will somehow need neighbour voting once again to do very well…

9 months ago

🛑 BREAKING NEWS: The traditional Eurovision flag parade will be made be soundtracked by the Beatbombers (world champion scratch artists).

UNITED KINGDOM 🇬🇧 Surie is performing now. The vocals are still one of the best and the neon staging actually looks good on screen. Nevertheless, “Storm” remains a very average entry. This one will struggle to conquer national juries. But the public may help her given the tremendous reaction to this act in the arena.

🛑 BREAKING NEWS
🇲🇰 Jana Burceska will reveal the results of FYR Macedonia’s jury during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 tomorrow night.

9 months ago

PORTUGAL 🇵🇹 The host country is using the same recipe as last year with Claudia. Simple staging (yes, they managed to do less than Salvador!). Focus on the voice and emotion for this modern and very slow ballad. It is actually very nice, very mystical, but also quite forgettable I’m afraid. I would call it an average Eurovision entry but a good Portuguese one.

9 months ago

NORWAY 🇳🇴 Will Rybak do it again? That’s the big question this year, especially since his not that perfect performance yesterday evening. Tonight, Alexander is a real entertainer and performs is catchy tune to perfection. Like it or not, Norway gave us a show tonight. A clear dark horse in my opinion. Great great reactions in the arena!

9 months ago

ESTONIA 🇪🇪 The diva is on stage now to perform her operatic act. It’s obviously flawless and extremely beautiful on screen (thanks to the dress of course). Nevertheless, I would say that since the performance in semi-final 1,the act has a bit lost of its “wow” effect, and . But for sure, juries will praise Estonia this year. This act should have been positioned at the end of the show I think. Great reactions for Estonia.

9 months ago

AUSTRIA 🇦🇹 From sweet ballad to gospel, here comes Cesar for Austria. He’s one of the best male voices this year and his stage performance is very classy. He manages to interact with the audience (which is very clever in my opinion). The act is really nice on screen and let’s hope he won’t get lost in the line-up. Strong reactions from the audience.

9 months ago

LITHUANIA 🇱🇹 Second ballad tonight, and one of the really positive surprises of semi-final 1. 200% emotion there with “When We’re Old”. Lithuania has obviously been inspired by Salvador Sobral, and Ieva is as sweet as perfect tonight again. The focus here is on the voice and emotion and it apparently works big time. One of the simplest staging this year, but this beautiful ballad doesn’t need more actually. The ending when her partner joins her on the bridge is just beautiful.

9 months ago

SLOVENIA 🇸🇮 After Spain, time to wake up with the very energetic Slovenian entry. Perfect vocals and dance moves for Lea tonight again. For sure, that’s something different and her qualification was barely a small surprise. And Slovenia has the cleverest gimmick this year, with the fake black out near the end of the song. For sure, Lea is making the show and his saving this rather repetitive pseudo electro entry.

9 months ago

SPAIN 🇪🇸 The first of a rather long list of ballads this year, and we start with the Spanish teenage duo. The staging looks very nice on screen but the song remain very cheesy to say the least, a pure Disney soundtrack. It’s a perfect performance for the two singers and the emotion (even if it is less strong than other entries) is present. Of course, the kiss at the end set fire to the arena!

9 months ago

🛑 BREAKING NEWS
🇧🇬 Joanna Dragneva who represented Bulgaria at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 will be revealing the results of the Bulgarian jury at Eurovision 2018.
🇮🇪 Former Westlife singer and Eurovision participant Nicky Byrne will announce the results of the Irish jury during the Eurovision 2018 Grand Final.

9 months ago

UKRAINE 🇺🇦 What a great start for the show! Just like yesterday, Melovin is giving the perfect, flawless, strong performance. A “vampire diary” start, followed by a good pop act and ending with a spectacular fire show. For sure, Eurovision has started! An issue with the backing vocalists at the middle of the song though. Nevertheless, that’s a very strong act Ukraine is offering us tonight.

Back to the show as the intro seems to be totally Portuguese of course: a traditionnal fado act, followed by a more modern one before two DJs perform for the flag ceremony.

9 months ago

🛑 BREAKING NEWS: A day before the final of Eurovision 2018, Saara Aalto met the frontman of the only Finnish Eurovision winner Lordi. He gave her some advice and said that Finland can take the trophy again this year. -> http://www.instagram.com/p/BipfFKtF5q3

9 months ago

🛑 BREAKING NEWS: CyBC CEO Thanasis Tsokos travels to Lisbon to support Eleni Foureira and be non the spot in case he has to sign the contract for thee 2019 Eurovision Song Contest.

9 months ago

🛑 BREAKING NEWS: San Marino HOD, Alessandro Capicchioni, officially complaints to the EBU regarding the comments of RAI last night in thee second semi final saying that due to San Marino, Italy lost the trophy last year and referred to the micro states as unworthy to pay attention to.

EUROPREDICTION 2018 🗳 CURRENT STANDINGS
More than 64,000 unique votes predict so far that the trophy will be between Cyprus, Israel and France – have a say today choosing ten potential Eurovision 2018 winners at http://www.oikotimes.com/vote

9 months ago

Live from Press Centre, let Eurovision weekend start! Tonight, it’s the jury rehearsal of this year’s Grand Final. 26 countries are about to hit the stage to impress national juries all over Europe. Tonight it’s actually as important as tomorrow live broadcast so we can expect all contestants (and hosts) to do their best. As usual, we will focus on songs only in order not to spoil the magic you’ll experience live tomorrow before your TV screens.

That concludes the live report for today. Stay tuned for the Jury Rehearsal off the Grand Final tonight

9 months ago

EUROPREDICTION 2018 🗳 CURRENT STANDINGS
More than 64,000 unique votes predict so far that the trophy will be between Cyprus, Israel and France – have a say today choosing ten potential Eurovision 2018 winners at http://www.oikotimes.com/vote

9 months ago

BETTING ODDS 💶 CURRENT STANDINGS
Cyprus, Israel and Ireland win the lead
France and Germany in thee top five
Norway, Lithuania, Czech Republic plundered

9 months ago

ITALY 🇮🇹 On stage, both members are shown standing centre stage
Wearing blue which currently contrasts with the red lighting backdrop they are using hand gestures as they sing in front of a microphone stand
There is some viuals on screen to focus on key words of the lyrics
The camera zooms out briefly to show audience reaction and capture the stage from afar
Both singers climb the stairs to stand at either end of the stage before reutrning back down to the front of the stage
They stand in front of the audience, looking afar as the camera stays with them

9 months ago

CYPRUS 🇨🇾 Flashes of blue and white light as Eleni comes on stage, walking sexily as red light is shown behind her
She is now shown with four female dancers as the song reaches its chorus line
The choreographed dance is captured by the camera along with strobe lighting
The camera pans across the stage and focusses on Eleni, who uses hand gestures and body movements to express the song lyrics. Some smoke and wind machine is in use as the song reachers its main event
The fire balls stream out and the camera keeps focussed on the stage while showing audience reaction at times
The sogn ends with choreographed dance moves, a thank you by Eleni to the audience and the camera zooming out for audience reaction

9 months ago

IRELAND 🇮🇪 Ryan is on stage, holding his guitar, surrounded entirely by darkness
The camera pans around Ryan, doing a 360 to now capture the two backing dancers who proceed to play out the storyline of the song
The camera follows the dancers while returning to Ryan after the main dance takes place
There is some capture of the audience as both dancers are shown but focus remains on Ryan or the dancers throughout
There is now use of light to recreate snow as the camera pans across Ryan once more
We are briefly shown the pianist as the song concludes

9 months ago

THE NETHERLANDS 🇳🇱 On stage with blue light, there is sudden movement as the camera zooms in to capture Waylon and the other musicians on centre stage all holding guitars, except the drummer
The camera pans around the stage, zooming out when the song hits the high notes
This country music number makes good use of lighting and we now have the camera focussing on the two male dancers, who are moving crazily
The vocals are strong and constant and although the melody is placed high, the vocals still play out through this
Visually, Waylon is now placed centre stage as the other move away
The two dancers proceed to move to a choreographed dance as Waylon moves towards completing the song. Ending with the camera zooming in to him, as he points to the air

9 months ago

ISRAEL 🇮🇱 On stage, Netta is wearing her traditional Kimono and making her chicken dance as the stage, resembling a Japanese dojo is surrounded by red lighting
The camera pans around stage and around Netta and then zooms for audience reaction upon the chorus line as lights burst to life and dancers go wild in choreographed moves on stage. Netta now moves away from the dojo area and joins her dancers to proceed with the choreographed dance moves as the camera zooms out for audience reaction once more
As Netta hits high notes, the camera zooms out and in to capture her reactions. On the conclusion of the song, very sudden, the camera zooms out fully.

9 months ago

HUNGARY 🇭🇺 This rock number begins with blue strobe lighting and a focus on all band members on stage
Our lead singer is wearing his military jacket and proceeds to move around centre stage as behind him bursts of fire light and strobe lighting play centre stage
Our lead singer, barefoot, moves around the front of stage and continues his wild choreographed dance moves as the camera zooms out and captures audience reaction
There are flashes of blue light and smoke appears on stage as camera focusses on drummer and guitarists
Another pan of audience reaction as the song reaches its end and concludes on a vocally high note

9 months ago

SWEDEN 🇸🇪 Brief pause before the song starts as the camera focusses on the audience, Benjamin now starts and is seen on stage with red lights moving up and down behind him.
This is interspaced by white lights and wearing a black costume, with sparkly jacket, Benjamin stands solo on stage
He moves across the stage from left ot right and back with some choreographed dance moves
The camera makes some brief changes to capture different shots of Benjamin
The camera also briefly zooms out but with the darkened background there is little focus except Banjamin on the stage.
Song ends with one dance move and the camera zooming out

9 months ago

MOLDOVA 🇲🇩 On stage, darkness makes way for the white panel where our singers emerge from
The play carried out in stage makes full use of the panel and the opening and closing of doors and our singers, two males, one female use choreographed dance moves to play out the song lyrics
Some comedian elements are added suring the melodical part of the song and the contrast in costumes, red, yellow and black play out well
Camera stays on centre stage, panning at times around to capture some audience reaction
Song ends abruptly and camera focusses on audience reaction as it zooms out

9 months ago

BULGARIA 🇧🇬 Lights switch on gradually as the stage is set to darkness
Our group are centre stage and facing each other as they angle turns and the camera creates the visual effect of turning three people into one
The light emerges in blue and entirely engulfs the stage as the camera briefly zooms out
Our female singer comes centre stage and the camera focusses on her and then zooms out once more
There is constant zooming as the song reaches its crescendo, with panning of the stage flashes of light
Some smoke emerges on stage as the song reaches its conclusion, which is very gradual to silence and the camera stays fixed on the stage

9 months ago

FINLAND 🇫🇮 A dark stage and Saara is pegged to her turntable which proceeds to spin around as she reaches the main focus of the song
The contrast of white, blue light with darkness works well visually and Saara moves off the turntable and is accompanied to front of stage by backing dancers
The choreographed moves begin and the camera pans about the stage, briefly capturing audience reaction
The storbe lighting focussing on stage and the camera zooms out fully before returning to Saara
As lights consume the stage, the song reaches a loud ending and the camera entirely zooms out

9 months ago

💡 We go to the green room
We are introduced to Serbia and Austria for brief interviews
Now we return to stage
Brief mention to Lys Assia who passed away and we continue with the show

9 months ago

AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺 Jessica stands centre stage wearing her blue dress as lights move rapidly behind her, alternating from blue to white
There is some limited dance moves from Jessica as the camera zooms out and then in again, to capture stage and audience reaction
Jessica crouches down on stage in a chareographed dance move as the music ups the tempo
There are flashes of light behind Jessica as the song reaches the chorus line
Jessica now starts her frantic choreographed dancing as the camera zooms out for audience reaction
The camera pans front of stage and Jessica reaches the song’s conclusion. Unlike the semifinal, the other dancer was not visible

9 months ago

DENMARK 🇩🇰 Rasmussen stands centre stage surrounded by smoke and blue light
The camera shows him elevated for a moment before the four backing singers join in and the camera zooms in and out from stage
The vocals are accompanied by flashes of light on key notes and all five on stage are using chareographed stepping to highlight the marching indicated by the song
There is some movement as backing singers move about but movement is limited to centre and front stage, the camera follows
There is a windswept moment as a flag is raised by one of the backing singers as the song reaches its conclusion and the camera zooms out to capture audience reaction

9 months ago

CZECH REPUBLIC 🇨🇿 Mikolas is on stage wearing his traditional braces and white shirt. The flashes of light are added as the song takes on a more vibrant quality
Dancers are shown either side of him adn the camera focusses on them as Mikolas continues his solo dance on stage
He is now joined by both dancers as he wiggles on stage, the choreography kicking off the camera to zoom out and capture audience reaction
The dancers take centre stage and Mikalas joins them to conclude the song on a choreogaphed move

9 months ago

FRANCE 🇫🇷 On stage both singers are wearing black as the camera pans around them
Both stand to face each other, occupying centre stage before moving up front. The camera zooms out and then back to the stage
The lighting of blue on black and the emergence of smoke on stage adds to the emotion of the song as the female singer moves around the stage and towards the audience
The camera follows her as she returns to the male singer, who is holding a guitar
The song plays continuously without any dips in sound and the camera zooms out towards the audience on arrival of the chorus line
The song concludes with both singers facing each other as the lighting shines bright behind them

9 months ago

ALBANIA 🇦🇱 A dark setting on stage with a sudden burst of blue light as Eugent is shown centre stage alongside two musicians
The camera pans the stage, zooming out temporarily before returning to the singer on stage. Now the backing dancers are shown as the song gathers momentum
Red lights, changing to blue encompass the stage as Eugent uses small hand gestures to convey changes in pitch
The camera pans and zooms across the stage and the lights flash on and off as the song reaches its highlight moment
The audience is briefly shown as the camera zooms out and a 360 view is made around Eugent as the song concludes on a high musical note

9 months ago

GERMANY 🇩🇪 Michael is surrounded by darkness as a spotlight focusses on him centre stage
The camera moves slowly from one side of Michael to the other as cartoon animation is shown behind him
Holding a microphone stand, Michael is on stage with two led screens behind him showing family images which stand out due to the lighting contrast on stage
The camera keeps pans across stage, rarely moving away
There is now a flash of white and red light as Michael reaches a key point of the song. Hearts are shown behind him and he leans towards the song’s conclusion
A soft and gradual end to the song and the camera finally zooms out for audience reaction

9 months ago

SERBIA 🇷🇸 Darkness on stage as sudden white lights emerge as our singers are huddled together centre stage
An old man with a flute is shown by the camera and blue lights decorate the stage
There is contrast in costumes from the flowing white dress to the dark jacket and trousers
The camera pans across stage as the drummer is shown drumming away
The movement is very much centre stage and even as the beat ups in tempo none of the singers move very much aside from a back and forth movement
There is now some circling of the centre of the stage and the lights alternate from red, blue and white
The song concludes with the camera fixed on the performers on centre stage and then moves towards capturing audience reaction

9 months ago

UNITED KINGDOM 🇬🇧 SuRie is on stage surrounded by darkeness and some strobbing blue lights
SuRie is inside a light tunnel, the vocals are a little low on this, more than expected
SuRie is wearing a white dress and holding tightly to her microphone, she is using hand gestures to express the vocals
The song picks up tempo and the camera zooms in and out from the stage
There is some minimal dancing from SuRie and the lights explode behind her
The beat picks up and the vocals sound a little higher, the camera pans to the audience as the song concludes
SuRie says thank you and the camera pans away

PORTUGAL 🇵🇹 Claudia is on centre stage surrounded in darkness as lights are gradually turned on
The song is very melodical with good melodical beat and use of light as the camera pans across the stage
We now have our duet on stage as the song picks up pace, both female singers are accompanied by some changes in lighting from red to blue
They are both swaying to the music and the camera follows this by slowly panning from one side of Claudia to the other.
The song ends smoothly and the camera pans to the audience
We now have a break as the hosts mention how beautiful that was

9 months ago

NORWAY 🇳🇴 Alexander is on stage sitting down and mimicking his violin and drums
now the keyboard as the song picks up pace, Aleksander stands up and proceeds to move around centre stage and dance
Her is joined by some backing dancers as the jacket comes off and the camera pans to the sudience
The choreographed dance moves are highlighted by the camera as Aleksander is left on stage alone with a violin and a crescendo of flashing light
The dancers rejoin and dancing starts once more
With five people on stage including Alexander the dance moves and the violen is well executed and there is good use of camera work
The song concludes with Aleksander and dancers standing centre stage

9 months ago

ESTONIA 🇪🇪 A blue image with flashing white lights as Elina stands centre stage in a sequined grey dress
Suddenly the led lights come in and her dress magically extends in size as the words go up a level or three
the dress alternates colours and Elina’s voice increases in both tempo and pitch
Our stage has turned red and camera zooms in and out to capture audience reaction
There is a cemra play on focussing on either side of Elina’s face and as the song reaches its conclusion the camera focusses once more on the dress
There is good hand gestures throughout by Elina to convey emotion
There is a swirl pattern captured from above as Elina reaches the end of the song and the dress spins circles of clour

9 months ago

AUSTRIA 🇦🇹 Cesar on stage dressed in his now traditional blue/grey outfit
Standing atop the stage he is lifted up in the air as lights engulf him and smoke emerges beneath him
The passion to the song is conveyed with hand gestures and Cesar does some brief dance moves as the song picks up pacd
Cesar now descends the stage and moves around it, changing from brief runs to casual walking around the stage, red lights suddenly engulf his surroundings and he ends, standing centre stage
The song ends with Cesar smiling and waving at the audience

9 months ago

LITHUANIA 🇱🇹 Ieva is on centre stage with stong lights focussed behind her. She is lying on the stage in her long white dress and surrounded by those lights
The song plays well with Leva’s vocals and there are nice touches of echo when the words show emotion
As the song progresses, Leva now gets up and walks across the stage as the camera follows her
She is now stepping up the stairs as she continues to sing, there are some hand gestures to convey emotion and she stands in front of the stair balcony as a man approaches, whom she embraces
The song now ends with both laughing and smiling atop the stairs

9 months ago

SLOVENIA 🇸🇮 Our stage is engulfed in blue light as Lea takes to the stage in her traditional pink hair
She is accompanied by the four backing dancers and all occupy centre stage, there is much strobe lighting to this song and a monotonous beat which is easily followed by choreographed dance moves
Lea is now walking around the stage and moves towards the front of the stage accompanied by her backing dancers
The music stops and Lea starts calling out for music, this part of the song adds the element of surprise and then the music starts again and the dancing continues once more
The song reaches a sudden end and the camera pans towards the audience

9 months ago

SPAIN 🇪🇸 We are introduced to Alfred on stage and Amaia who are on opposite sides
Alfred is wearing a red suit while Amaia is wearing a sequined black dress
Both proceed to come closer to each other and as the song continues, they sway together and hold hands
Both occupy centre stage as the melody rises steadily along with their words
As the song edges towards its crescendo, Both walk aweay and then back together once more holding hands
The lighting is very minimal with some strobe lighting in the background, a dark stage with some flashes of light
As opposed to previousd versions, at the end there is no kiss, they simply touch heads and smile at each other

9 months ago

UKRAINE 🇺🇦 Our singer, Melovin appears on stage surrounded by red lighting and is once again lifted from his cacoon and proceeds to walk towards the stage
He is accompanied by four backing singers all wearing suits
There is zooming from the camera to both audience and stage as the music livens up
Melovin then walks towards the piano and proceeds to play it to accompany the music
The fire starts to rise and engulfes his surroundings
The song ends in a crescendo and throughout there are glimpses where Melovin and his aquatic blue eye are shown to the camera

9 months ago

Our hosts are on stage introducing all 26 finalists on the scoreboard and their respective running order
Hosts have now introduced the start of the contest

9 months ago

Welcome to the Press Rehearsal of the Grand Final. It is interesting to see that besides Cyprus, Israel and France the top five in the betting odds include Ireland and Lithuania.

Congratulations to all – stay tuned for the GRAND FINAL RUNNING ORDER ANNOUNCEMENT

9 months ago

DENMARK 🇩🇰 TO PERFORM IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE GRAND FINAL
SLOVENIA 🇸🇮 TO PERFORM IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE GRAND FINAL
THE NETHERLANDS 🇳🇱 TO PERFORM IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE GRAND FINAL

9 months ago

NORWAY 🇳🇴 IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE GRAND FINAL

9 months ago

AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺 IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE GRAND FINAL

9 months ago

SWEDEN 🇸🇪 IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE GRAND FINAL

9 months ago

UKRAINE 🇺🇦 IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE GRAND FINAL

9 months ago

HUNGARY 🇭🇺 IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE GRAND FINAL

9 months ago

MOLDOVA 🇲🇩 IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE GRAND FINAL

9 months ago

SERBIA 🇷🇸 TO COMPETE IN THE FIRST HALF OOF THE GRAND FINAL

9 months ago

THE ALLOCATION DRAW

9 months ago

THE NETHERLANDS 🇳🇱 Waylon said that despite the negative criticism over the staging and the choreography he told them too ago and f*** off.

9 months ago

SLOVENIA 🇸🇮 Two times already in Eurovision as backing vocalist and no press conference attend and now I am here says Lea. She tried to a void if she will be the first Slovenian Eurovision winner. She is humble

9 months ago

DENMARK 🇩🇰 Rasmussen: Denmark won in 2000 and 2013 in Sweden and why not now in a Southern country. We don’t feel any pressure because our main goal was to qualify.

9 months ago

NORWAY 🇳🇴 I feel a little pressure to perform and entertain because I have donee this before and now I am taking some other’s place, said Rybak. Regarding CIS countries missing the final and how it will affect his voting, Rybak says that he doesn’t count on block voting as Eurovision is simply a music contest and people either from Western or Eastern Europe will vote for him if they like his show.

9 months ago

AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺 We have a great team and this is the key for a good performance and our qualification results. You never know when you write a song, you have a feeling and you go with it. But tonight on stage it was beyond my expectations, said Jessica.

9 months ago

SWEDEN 🇸🇪 Will you bring the trophy for the 7th time in Sweden, Benjamin asked. HOD says that SVT is happy with the performance and final will be hard but let’s wait and see. Going to the final is amazing already. Humble as always (!)

9 months ago

UKRAINE 🇺🇦 I got texted by Verka and Andriy Danielko (as both characters) and MELOVIN is happy he sees the stage on fire.

9 months ago

HUNGARY 🇭🇺 The Hungarian HOD announced that in august AWS were invited to the biggest European metal festival. AWS lead singer said that despite statistics they just wanna bring another fantastic show on stage.

MOLDOVA 🇲🇩 Kirkorov said that he is sad for Julia not qualifying and as a true Russian he congratulated for an amazing performance. DoReDos asked the people to vote for them in the final.

9 months ago

SERBIA 🇷🇸 The song is about the new generation, children who can make the world better. When Sanja heard Serbia qualified he was happy because his mother wouldn’t wait for long.

9 months ago

Press Conferences begins and all ten qualifiers are announced as they enter the room and the podium

9 months ago

Welcome to Second Semi Final Qualifiers Press Conference. You can watch the official live stream here alongside with our report from the responses of the artists. Stay tuned as wee will also find out in which half of the Grand Final, each of the qualifiers will perform. Notice: in few hours we will also post new article with the final running order of the Grand Final as decided by RTP and approved by the EBU

That concludes the live blogging live from Lisbon stay tuned for analysis of thee results , the results comparison and more…

9 months ago

and final country: THE NETHERLANDS 🇳🇱 TO THE FINAL

9 months ago

SLOVENIA 🇸🇮 TO THE FINAL

9 months ago

DENMARK 🇩🇰 TO THE FINAL

9 months ago

NORWAY 🇳🇴 TO THE FINAL

9 months ago

AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺 TO THE FINAL

9 months ago

SWEDEN 🇸🇪 TO THE FINAL

9 months ago

UKRAINE 🇺🇦 TO THE FINAL

9 months ago

HUNGARY 🇭🇺 TO THE FINAL

9 months ago

MOLDOVA 🇲🇩 TO THE FINAL

9 months ago

RESULTS
SERBIA 🇷🇸

9 months ago

France, Germany and Italy are now shown to thee public, they are live in the Green Room but their performance is a short footage from Jury Rehearsal performance. Full performances on http://www.eurovision.tv

9 months ago

Time for another recap

9 months ago

amazing interval act with funny version of various Eurovision songs including thee male skinning of Making Your Mind Up ending up with the ALL TIEM STUNNING Riverdance. A great interval moment.

9 months ago

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨 Following the ban of Albanian (due to tattoos) and Irish (dude to LGBT theme) broadcast from MANGO TV (China), EBU announced termination of collaboration. Well done EBU!

That was the competing part and now we are ready to open the lines and see the recap of the songs.

9 months ago

UKRAINE 🇺🇦 With a tune of the 90s we all love to hear and amazing props used on stage the performance gets on fire as Mélovin is convincing me he is a star on stage. Lots of happening on stage giving us a true show as we are used to by Ukraine. Let’s see what how juries and public will vote for this act despite this country failed to deliver a good contest last year.

9 months ago

SLOVENIA 🇸🇮 This Taylor Swift act will so qualify. Lea Sirk is amazing in dance and vocal performance. Excellent!

9 months ago

MONTENEGRO 🇲🇪 I completely disagree with this outfits and the styling but the song is delivered in great vocals. The tune though seems indifferent (unfortunately).

9 months ago

SWEDEN 🇸🇪 Benjamin cancels the stage and uses his own prop for his great 80s style song and with a vintage performance shows how great this song can be.

LATVIA 🇱🇻 Sexy solo performance with excellent vocals and awesome English pronunciation. American Italian Laura is giving a promising performance full of confidence. Well done in this sentimental ballad.

9 months ago

HUNGARY 🇭🇺 A song that has no match in the contest ever before. The arena almost went down and the audience loved it. Fires all over, stage dive and a great death metal song which certainly you will love to hate. To the final for sure!

9 months ago

💡 Time for the second break

9 months ago

MALTA 🇲🇹 Two thirds gone and Malta is on stage. Christabelle after three attempts she made it to Eurovision and her message for the mentally ill people is spread with a fantastic visual. Let’s hope Europe will get the message. By the way the tune sounds amazing. Congrats Malta (hope to see ya in the final)!

9 months ago

POLAND 🇵🇱 Welcome to the Norway 2017 copycat. No I am not been offensive as I love the tune and Poland gives an amazing party allure in the contest (with no great vocals though). Well done work on stage and excellent camera work. See ya in the final Poland (most likely)!

9 months ago

GEORGIA 🇬🇪 Not me but us is the message of the sweet lounge ballad by Georgian ethnographic jazz band Iriao. I cannot see this to the final but it’s a nice tune to be fair. Thee song is delivered vocally perfect and the smooth sound is reminding us somehow good old days of Eurovision!

9 months ago

AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺 Jessica Mauboy with not a perfect vocal performance and a weirdly taste dress is obviously having sound problems at least in her earphone and interacts with the audience. Thee second half of the song is much better and the solo act works perfectly for her.

9 months ago

THE NETHERLANDS 🇳🇱 A good and pure American country rock song by Waylon, the 2014 Dutch representative who delvers the song in an excellent way. Good song and hopefully this will appeal the rock audience. This semi final seems quite rock by the way.

9 months ago

MOLDOVA 🇲🇩 What an amazing theatrical performance with excellent comical aspects and stunning vocal performance. The area goes nuts with Marina playing with two men on stage and she plays hard. Congratulations Fokas, amazing idea, Congratulations Moldova – it’s no accident that Kirkorov dealt with DoReDos: they are a damn talented trio!

9 months ago

💡 Time for a break

9 months ago

RUSSIA 🇷🇺 Julia you finally did it girl and we are all proud of you and your hard effort on this. You have been through enough and no matter whether we like the song or not, too matter if you qualify if not, you did an amazing presentation and you should be proud. Congratulations Russia!

9 months ago

DENMARK 🇩🇰 The story of a Viking who doesn’t want to fight anymore and the arena goes frantic. Everyone loves this Nordic ethnic tune and alongside the snow storm people can’t stop cheering. It’s amazing what’s happening inside the arena. Congratulations Rasmussen: hot, sexy, perfect performer. Well done Denmark! See ya in the final!

9 months ago

SAN MARINO 🇸🇲 Maltese and German collaboration for San Marino with thee two girls performing accompanied by funny robots on stage. Funny! I can’t believe I love the song presentation and the robots. Yes, size doesn’t matter maybe they can make it to the final against all odds!!! Great vocal performance and collaboration between the two girls!

9 months ago

SERBIA 🇷🇸 Although this song will defining struggle to appeal the European audience and many off us don’t like the main tune we have to admit that the song intro is simply stunning and the performance is excellent. Serbia no matter the result well done tonight. Balkan tune meets modern sounds and the message about the children been the future is spread (we hope).

9 months ago

ROMANIA 🇷🇴 OH MY GOD! what a perfect vocal performance with a great stage presentation. That was a Grammy Award performance. Romania you are going to surprise us all in the final (in which you will qualify) and you will smash the scoreboard! Congratulations for this amazing rock song!

9 months ago

NORWAY 🇳🇴 The 1500th song is presented and Alexander Rybak takes the stage. The 2009 Eurovision winner doesn’t use accidentally the lyric “work your magic” as he descents from Belarus. Magnificent performance, excellent camera work and definitely to the final.

9 months ago

Good evening Europe and good morning Australia as the amazing intro video of the Lisbon city sounds leads us to the venue where the four female hosts welcome us

and that’s a wrap guys… see ya all tomorrow for the live blogging of the second semi final

9 months ago

UKRAINE 🇺🇦 MELOVIN is the last to perform tonight. Last year’s host country Ukraine has big piano coffin on stage. Wow a lot can happen on this thing they have on stage. MELOVIN starts in a coffin, goes down to sing and comes back up again to play the piano with flames all around him. This show looks quite good and you can’t say that nothing is happening during this song. This is a good closing entry for this semi final. Even though I think MELOVIN looks a little scary when coming up from that coffin he could go to the final with this performance! Wow we’ve seen a lot of fire in todays semi final!

9 months ago

SLOVENIA 🇸🇮 Can you “Hvala Ne” to Lea and Slovenia? Not after this performance! “Hvala Ne” means “No Thanks” of course but I think a lot of people will say “Oh yes” to Lea Sirk. He and her four dancer look really good and there is a good atmosphere during this song. They go closer to the audience during the song and suddenly there is a “technical problem” – no worries, it’s a part of the show and quite fun actually. I’ve seen this performance a few times and I still get surprised. Slovenia can take a place in the final for sure.. I’ve said that to a lot of song now, right? Well, Eurovision is hard to predict!

9 months ago

SWEDEN 🇸🇪 And we move up north to Sweden and Benjamin Ingrosso. If you saw the final of Melodifestivalen 2018 well then you know the show. It worked in Sweden so of course they sticked with it and made the same her in Lisbon. Benjamin is standing on a platform of light tubes and dancing around like it was a music video. He looks good and his vocals are really good as well. Even the choir works fine so Sweden will of course secure a place in the Grand Final after tomorrows show.

9 months ago

LATVIA 🇱🇻 Moving on to a much more slow song from Latvia. Its hard to come after Hungary and even though Laura is a really good singer this is a entry where not much is happening. Laura is wearing red and the lights are red as well. This is a type of entry that could have benefit from LED screens. Unfortunately Latvia can suffer the same destiny as Belgium did last night and not making it to the final.

9 months ago

🗳 Europrediction 2018 Second Semi Final to close. Cast your votes now (choose up to teen potential qualifiers for the Grand Final) -> http://www.oikotimes.com/vote

9 months ago

💡 Now break in green room with talks with Russia, welcoming Poland to the greenroom with a boomerang and talks with Australia.

9 months ago

MALTA 🇲🇹 Christabelle is breaking the “Taboo” with four LED screens on stage that works really good. She is standing in the middle of them in the beginning before going out and on the stage with lots of fire around her and laser lights. This entry stands out because of the LED screens and also coming after Poland with a more slow tempo song. Christabelles vocal are quite good again tonight but is too easy to forget again? Thats the question I’m thinking, but it sure looks good on screen. I think Malta could take a place to the Grand Final this year, mainly because of Christabelles vocals.

9 months ago

POLAND 🇵🇱 JOWST is on with “Grab the Moment”.. No wait that Poland’s Gromee and Lukas! Lol. This is “Light Me Up” and they do! This is a good entry. Gromee is standing at his DJ pult and Lukas standing beside him before entering the catwalk with lots of fireworks. The vocals are not the best today but this type of song can handle it. This is a party song and this brings good atmosphere in the audience. We might see Poland again on Saturday. Last year Norway’s JOWST did good with the same type of song and maybe it can happen again.

9 months ago

AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺 Good morning Australia. Hopefully some people “down under” will be awake to watch Jess Mauboy on stage with “We Got Love”. Australia has chosen a quite simple show with some light tubes behind her and her in front dancing around in her dress that stills looks interesting and colorful. Actually the vocals are weird tonight (she sounds likes she’s coming down with a cold) – but in my opinion the shows works nice and this is a good party song that should qualify for the final. But this can go both ways.

9 months ago

THE NETHERLANDS 🇳🇱 Waylon is back after four years. In Copenhagen he had Ilse with him but now he is on his own. He delivers a real rock song on a platform with lights and and his band are also dancers. This is a good entry and people who likes this rock style will vote for it. Waylon is wearing some kind of leopard jacket. Interesting choice. But I guess we will see him and his jacket again on Saturday for the Grand Final. This entry should qualify tomorrow. The vocals are good and the show actually works quite good.

9 months ago

🗳 Less than 24h left for Europrediction 2018 Second Semi Final to close. Cast your votes now (choose up to teen potential qualifiers for the Grand Final) -> http://www.oikotimes.com/vote

9 months ago

MOLDOVA 🇲🇩 DoReDos is on – and wow that show is crazy. A big white box is in the middle of the stage and many doors in this box can open and close. This show delivers. DoReDos (and their alter ego) comes in and out of the boxes. Even though this song could be cheesy the show lifts the song to new standards. Moldova can do very well this year. You can’t help singing along and you remember the show which is probably the most important thing in Eurovision. This is not a song where the vocals matter that much. You forget it if they miss a tone or so. You’re watching a show. A clear qualifier!

9 months ago

💡 Now a break with Norway, San Marino (including the robots) and Denmark in the green room.

9 months ago

RUSSIA 🇷🇺 A lot has been said about Russia and Juliia. Both this year and of course last year. Julia is on top of a mountain during her song “I Wont Break” and two dancers are dancing around her and on the catwalk stage as well. The vocals.. well it doesn’t sound amazing, but I must say that I have so much respect for all the participants in this contest and Yulia is giving everything she can. The story is fine, the mountain a bit weird – and Russia as a qualifier? I don’t think so. I won’t be surprised if they qualify but if that is deserved… Well?

9 months ago

DENMARK 🇩🇰 Time for the vikings. Rasmussen and his fellow vikings take the stage. Rasmussen alone at first and then his backing singers are joining him as we saw in the Danish national final in February. And the snow and wind works! Thank god. This was the big issue for the Danish delegation this week. Vocals are really fine and the backing singers are actually good – especially when they sing the Icelandic lyrics in the chorus. As a Dane im proud and of course biased – but the atmosphere is actually good about this entry and I do understand why. It stands out and is very Scandinavian. Hopefully a place in the final for Denmark.

9 months ago

SAN MARINO 🇸🇲 The smallest country in Eurovision – San Marino. Even though Jessika and Jennifer hasn’t been to San Marino yet they are the hopeful duo for the country. Jessika sings in the middle of the stage with robots around her and two dancers behind her. “Size doesn’t matter… sometimes” the robot’s signs are saying. Jennifer joins Jessika with the rap part. This is not that bad though many people laugh of this. I remember worse entries from San Marino. The vocals are not the best tonight, but even though I could see San Marino being the big surprise qualifier tomorrow but anything can happen. Well, tomorrow I hope the robots sign doesn’t fall off before we get to see it on screen.

9 months ago

SERBIA 🇷🇸 Now on to Serbia. Sanja Ilić & Balkanika are bringing the balkan tones back to Eurovision. The staging is quite different from the national final in Serbia. It seems more simple and thet’s good. The ladies are wearing white and black dresses and the male lead singer black. A very intense and dark opening that develops into a real balkan song in the chorus. There is a good connection between the singers. The vocals are fine but maybe this song doesn’t stand out enough especially with this running order number. Serbia might struggle to qualify but it’s not impossible. This kind of song often do good in Eurovision. The drums at the end finishes the song quite nice.

9 months ago

ROMANIA 🇷🇴 From the Norwegian violin to Romanian mannequins. The Humans start off with two mens with masks and Cristina Caramarcu singing between them. The songs goes uptempo and more rock-style with the chorus and Cristina is walking between the mannequins. The Humans are wearing white and Cristina purple which looks really cool. This is kind of a weird entry. The song itself is actually quite good. But if it will qualify depends on many things. The staging might be too weird for some, but the vocals are spot on.

9 months ago

NORWAY 🇳🇴 First up tonight is Norway. This song is number 1.500 in the history of Eurovision. Alexander Rybak is back after his victory in 2009 and apparently he knows “How to write a song”, which is the title of his 2018 entry. He starts of sitting alone playing instruments that appears on screen and then his dancers join him for at good, funny and powerful performance – and of course his violin appears at the end of the song so he can hear his biggest talent. Norway sends a strong entry this year. You can discuss the lyrics, the meaning and all that but you cannot take away that Norway might win again. This is an entry that appeals to many kinds of people, and of course a clear qualifier.

Show opens with the film showing Lisbon also shown in the first semi final. Then our four hosts are presented and welcoming Europe (and Australia) #AllAboard to the second semi final and explaining the rules. 18 countries will be to 10 finalists.

9 months ago

Good Evening Europe the Lisbon team of oikotimes.com is at the press area ready to report the jury rehearsal. Tonight the national juries will cast their votes which counts 50% of tomorrow’s final outcome.

and THAT (finally) concludes the live blogging from the press rehearsal – stay tuned with us as on 21:00 CET we will report you live the jury rehearsal… 🗳 Keep voting for your ten favourite and potential qualifiers of the second semi final in Europrediction –> http://www.oikotimes.com/vote

9 months ago

The vocals are very low on this with the melody entirely overpowering it. It’s very dark too and although the focus is on the dance, this is very similar throughout
Song ends abruptly. Camera zooms to audience and then we go back to hosts.

9 months ago

The camera simply pans onto Benjamin moving from right to left…

9 months ago

SWEDEN 🇸🇪 In darkeness, Banjamin appears now wearing black leather. There is strove red lights behind him, which turn to white and then blue. He is very much centre stage and camera focuses on him and his dance moves which are very subtle until the beat of the melody increases

9 months ago

SWEDEN 🇸🇪 Sweden is now back to perform as there were problems so we have the review…

and that concludes the live blogging from the press rehearsal – stay tuned with us as on 21:00 CET we will report you live the jury rehearsal…

9 months ago

Molovin takes to sit in front of a piano and fire emerges around him. A fire effect as the song reaches its crescendo. The song ends abruptly and camera pans to audience and then green room.

9 months ago

UKRAINE 🇺🇦 Our singer is on stage with a further four backing dancers as strobe lighting takes centre stage. Flash lighting now joins in and out singer dances choreographically to the music. The camera moves around the stage, walking towards front of stage as the music suddenly stops. They restart with flashing lights…

9 months ago

Apologies for the somehow incoherent review of the rehearsals but we have scuttled feed from the arena… last country to perform Ukraine!

9 months ago

SLOVENIA 🇸🇮 Our singer is on stage with a further four backing dancers as strobe lighting takes centre stage. Flash lighting now joins in and out singer dances choreographically to the music. The camera moves around the stage, walking towards front of stage as the music suddenly stops. They restart with flashing lights!

9 months ago

💡 We kinda lost the feed in the press area for the rest of Sweden and few moments of Montenegro. We are forced to move to Slovenia!

9 months ago

SWEDEN 🇸🇪 Benjamin appears on stage wearing a chequered suit which is overshadowed by the blue lighting. He is accompanied by four women dressed in white and they surround him.casually moving around him.

9 months ago

SWEDEN 🇸🇪 Technical issues again. We go to the green room. Now we return to Sweden…

9 months ago

LATVIA 🇱🇻 Laura is wearing a red dress and starts singing surrounded by red light. She is using much hand gesturing as the camera zooms out then in again. Some spotlights emerge and this adds focus to the stage performance. The song is constant as vocals flow well, not overshun by melody. Laura doesn’t move from her stage position, only doing so to take a few steps from right to left. Camera simply pans around stage and there is a disappearance of light at certain moments of the performance. It ends suddenly as camera pans to audience.

9 months ago

HUNGARY 🇭🇺 A dark stage with emergence of blue light. The drummer wearing a vest, the guitarist a t-shirt. The main singer is wearing some military style shirt and the song involves a lot of firework lighting and the singer running around the stage. Changes of colour on stage from blue to red and back to blue. The camera zooms out, panning the audience and focussing on the energy from the main singer. The guitarist appears front of stage to encourage audience participation as the singer runs around and the lighting fireworks emerge again and the group is surrounded by bursting lights. The stage dive a success again! The song concludes with a lighting show.

9 months ago

NOTICE 💡 The live feed at the press area keeps scrubbing so bee patent with us

9 months ago

MALTA 🇲🇹 Christabelle is on stage wearing balck and accompanied by two panels as the camera zooms in and out. Lighting alters from blue to red with fire emerging from the front of the stage. There is flashing light and strobe lighting throughout. Vocally a sound performance but only towards the end does a dancer appear to add some vibrancy to the song. Christabelle encourages the dancing and then positions herself centre too the stage once more to conclude the song.

9 months ago

POLAND 🇵🇱 We suddenly start with Poland as all members are on stage wearing black costumes including hats. The performance includes a dance midway and the song has a lot of hand gesturing throughout. The camera zooms in and out constantly, panning the stage to capture all performance members. The vocals are a little drowned by the melody and the main singer runs around the front of the stage to encourage audience participation. Camera panning is rather sudden as bursts of light emerge from front of stage. Song concludes suddenly.

GEORGIA 🇬🇪 On stage lights come on and go off, then return to a shimmering blue. Our performers are on stage wearing tuxedo style suits. Each one surrounded by smoke. The light changes from blue to red. The camera pans 360 around the stage. Members move around the stage and take alternative positions. Camera zooms in and out, panning audience where possible. The vocals are constant but there seems to be a lot of monotony as the melody stays ambient. Some strobe lighting towards the end of the song and an image of a side musician. Song ends with camera zooming out towards audience.

9 months ago

AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺 Jessica appears on stage wearing a blue sequened dress. There is some moving lights behin dher as she moves on centre stage. The camera does gradual zoom in and our with some panning of audience. There is a lot of hand gestures from Jessica and vocally its strong, easily moving from low to high pitch with ease. There is minimal movement and Jessica stays in the centre of the stage. Towards the song, she breaks out in a dance and some lights erupt at the front of the stage, with this, Jessica proceeds to move around the stage but returns to her central position to conclude the song.

9 months ago

THE NETHERLANDS 🇳🇱 Waylon is on stage with four musicians, three with guitars and the other a drummer. Waylon is wearing a cowboy hat and a colourful jacket. The vocals are sound and match the melody, one of the musicians breaks into a dance. The camera zooms gradually in and out. None of them love from centre stage. Suddenly Waylon is placed in the centre as the others suround him and break into dance. The camera zooms out and then in to end the song and flashing lights throughout.

9 months ago

Darkness on stage. We have some technical issues and our hosts emerge. Brief interview with Australia. Now The Netherlands restarts.

9 months ago

MOLDOVA 🇲🇩 Flashes of light on sdtage and immediately the music starts as backing dancers proceed to open and close doors to a setup stage. Our singers emerge from each door and now the song begins. There is an interaction between both performers on front of stage and the setup behind them where doors are opened and closed. Vocally sound and matches the melody, this is upbeat throughout and has good chareographed moves between the performers. One wering black, another yellow and the last, red. These are then mirrored by three backing dancers wearing the same clothing as the song reaches its end. Camera stayed on stage throughout with panning of audience at the end.

💡 A slight break as we are taken to one of our hosts. We now go to the green room. An interview is undertaken promoting the portuguese language as the host moves from one act to the other in the green room. Went to talk to San Marino but they were not at their respective table. We then return back to the main stage.

9 months ago

RUSSIA 🇷🇺 Rasmussen emerges on stage, clibing some stairs and begins to sing. The stage is in a total blue light. Suddenly some backing singers join Rasmussen on stage and camera pans the stage and there is minimal windswept effect throughout as all five people remain rooted to the centre of the stage. Camera zooms in and out and all five people sway from side to side. Rasmussen uses some hand gestures to show passion as the song reaches its conclusion and a flag is raised by on eof the backing singers. The song ends with the camera zooming into the audience.

9 months ago

DENMARK 🇩🇰 Rasmussen emerges on stage, clibing some stairs and begins to sing. The stage is in a total blue light. Suddenly some backing singers join Rasmussen on stage and camera pans the stage. There is minimal windswept effect throughout as all five people remain rooted to the centre of the stage. Camera zooms in and out and all five people sway from side to side. Rasmussen uses some hand gestures to show passion as the song reaches its conclusion and a flag is raised by on eof the backing singers. The song ends with the camera zooming into the audience.

9 months ago

SAN MARINO 🇸🇲 A dark stage erupts to flashing lights. Jessika is on stage and immediately starts singing, wearing a right red dress and surrounded by two backing dancers. There is a featured robot who mimics the dance moves of the three people on stage. Now Jenifer joins in, wearing another red costume, although this is more kimono style and the robot proceeds to lift a sign “Sometimes” and both singers continue performing. Jessika approaches the robot and they tough hands and then she moves away continuing to dance as lighting flashes. Camera pans the stage as the song reaches it’s conclusion.

9 months ago

SERBIA 🇷🇸 Sanja and Balkanika take to the stageas lighting erupts to the sound of the melody. Our female voice in on stage accompanied by two backing singers. Our male singer emergers from behind and proceeds to join in and form a little circle of four people. The camera pans towards the drummer and then zooms across the audience. The vocals are very notable here, with both vocals and melody flowing well together. Little movement on stage except the females move around the male, who remains rooted to the centre of the stage. The lighting is simply constant flashing and the song concludes gradually with the camera zooming out.

9 months ago

ROMANIA 🇷🇴 The Humans appear on stage, one female removing her mask and walking across the stage. The female singer, is joined by a male duo who encircle her as masks are removed. On stage the camera is solely docusses on the main singer with a zoom in and out effect across the audience and as the tempo escalates, the singer proceeds to move across the stage, passing by people to place herself next to two cello players. Again camera zooms in and out and the singer is wearing a flowing purple dress and there is a windswept effect as the song progresses. The ending is fairly sudden, with singer and backing people huddled together

9 months ago

The vioin returns and Aleksander performs a small dance with his backing dancers as the song ends casually. A sound performance with no faults of note

9 months ago

NORWAY 🇳🇴 The first song is Aleksander Rybak for Norway, the former 2009 Eurovision winner. He immediately appears on stage in a blue top mimikin instrument playing. Sitting on stage, he immediately rises to his feet as flashes of light emerge. The vocals are a little down on this, the melody being slightly louder. Aleksander is now joined by two dancers on stage and the camera rotates between this and the audience. The lighting is intermitent flashes as camera pans to zoom out and then immediately in.

9 months ago

And we’re live from Lisbon. The same intro used to date is shown onscreen advertising Portugal to the world. Our hosts appear on stage to announce themselves to Europe and Australia. Our 18 acts are shown onscreen in their starting order as the hosts explain how proceedings will work out

9 months ago

🗳 Following our success of predicted 7/10 of the qualifiers you are still eligible to vote for thee second semi final which is due tomorrow at 20:00 CET. Have a say here ➡️ http://www.oikotimes.com/vote

Finally we meet SuRie from the United Kingdom in the Green Room and we see a footage of the UK entry (full version on http://www.eurovision.tv)

9 months ago

Now Amaia and Alfred sing their song in the Green Room in a “La la la” version (reminding us the Spanish victory of 1968) and now footage of the Spanish entry this year again recorded from last night’s show (full version on http://www.eurovision.tv)

9 months ago

Now we see a footage of the Portuguese performance recorded in yesterday’s Jury Rehearsal (full video on http://www.eurovsion.tv)

9 months ago

Another recap and back to Green Room seeing Eleni Foureira giving a tip in paper to thee hostess regrinding the first ever participation of Cyprus and now moved to Portuguese participants who mention their pink wigs appeal for the Grand Final to all fans.

9 months ago

First recap off the songs followed by and amazing video showing 2017 participants singing the Portuguese winner entry “Amar Pelos Dois”

9 months ago

Europe start voting now!

9 months ago

CYPRUS 🇨🇾 no comment: PERFECTION! #QueenF

9 months ago

IRELAND 🇮🇪 Ryan is giving an amazing sweet and smooth performance of a ballad that reminds us the good old days of Ireland in the contest. Simple dark solo performance for the opening of the song and two guys dancing on a bench coming up. Flawless and a song with a lot of meaning about “love” and especially the gay love something which is officially presented in Eurovision for the first time in a dance act. (OK, Lithuania did it in 2015 and Finland in 2013 but not in such a to-the-point way). Snow effect used on stage showing that love can stand in difficulties and time. Not bad at all Ireland. Definitely not provocative at any way (Russia).

9 months ago

SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭 Pop and rock siblings give a powerful performance with great vocals. A song that works perfect on TV and remember me it will qualify. Greta sue of stage and nice camera work. Of course those of us who know Stee and Coco, we simply love them. Coco is using a firework on her hand and reminds us all we will not be hurt from love. Amazing! Congrats Swiss, the best entry in years.

9 months ago

ARMENIA 🇦🇲 Sevak is performing for the very first time in Armenian. A sympathetic song with great vocals, simple and minimal presentation using a prop which somehow reminds us a kind of Armenian genocide monument. Vocals are great and outfits black and linen. Not and at all.

9 months ago

FINLAND 🇫🇮 The turning wheel worked fine and now Saara is giving a great show with surprisingly great vocals. Saara make all Finns proud (including the X-Factor UK jurors who ranked her 2nd in the final of 2016). Amazing vocals and well structured choreography. Congrats! for the amazing prop dive (so scarred she missed it and fall)!

9 months ago

GREECE 🇬🇷 Problems, difficulties and cancelled optical mishaps will not stop Yianna from performing. Smoke all over the stage, somehow a light effect without optical effect and Yianna Terzi just made the entire nation proud. Vocally she missed again the high note but overall everyone is impressed. Sorry to say that it was one of the best tunes tonight. Didn’t seem the hand was painted in right blue colour.

9 months ago

AUSTRIA 🇦🇹 It’s time for Cesar Sampson to fulfil his dream and go solo in Eurovision. Flawless vocal performance and simple leather outfit for Cesar. Dark opening for the song but it;s obvious the singer on high lighted prop is aiming for you to focus on performance besides his great think looks. The prop is set too high I think and cannot really get the meaning of it. It is clear that he experiences sound problem with his earphone. Optical image of Cesar also used. Now he is doing the catwalk and fans love it! Good effort but I am afraid it will not do it to the final (at least not easily).

9 months ago

Time for second break

9 months ago

CROATIA 🇭🇷 Solo but sexy on stage Franka is using all of her sex appeal to seduce / convince the Europeans. Like a mermaid in black Franka gives a great vocal performance but the tune is not appealing to me to vote for it.

9 months ago

FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA 🇲🇰 With an unnecessary dress trick Eye Cue have a great Sogn with features several music genres in it and once again happy to see no ethnic sound in it. Modern and vocally adequate could be appealing. Many Eurofans love this song but don’t see it qualifying in such a difficult semi final. Colourful and happy tune and the singers with eh dancers have a great time on stage. Let’s hope it’s not only them.

9 months ago

BULGARIA 🇧🇬 The specially made for Eurovision band of three Bulgarians and two Americans fight hard with a great vocal performance on stage. Dark and symbolic the message seems to be spread. Interesting proposal from Bulgaria and amazing vocals with great music. Let’s see if it appeals thee European audience.

9 months ago

ESTONIA 🇪🇪 Elina gives indeed an amazing operatic performance and the dress works fine for her although this is something we have already see recently with the performance of Russia in 2015. Good job by Elina although there is a lot of blur in the screen as filter to her face. Great performance possible qualifier and nice camera work but… I didn’t like it at all

9 months ago

BELARUS 🇧🇾 Not the best vocals of the night but the magic trick with the flower works fine as the optical rose pedals fill thee screen. He was so nervous preforming but Alekseev believes in his song.

9 months ago

ISRAEL 🇮🇱 Netta and her dancers are enjoying the performance and they are having a party time on stage. Pyros are used for this performance and although there are some instabilities in the vocal performance everyone enjoys Netta’s high note and her amazing catwalk. Bubbles are in the air of the Altice arena and the mojo cats looks cool as background.

9 months ago

Green Room now and short break.

9 months ago

LITHUANIA 🇱🇹 Love can last forever and you can feel it by Ieva, a former JESC participant. Vocally perfect Ieva lays on stage and optical images of any kind of couple showing their love is presented. Going to the bridge she meets her husband! The famous Lithuanian basketball.

9 months ago

CZECH REPUBLIC 🇨🇿 Mikolas safe and sound is on stage and despite his back mishap he is a fighter and you can see it. Amazing retro and vintage performance and good vocals. Stunning stage presentation with breakdancing and smooth moves by Mikolas. He ends up performance with a jump! Congrats our hero!

9 months ago

BELGIUM 🇧🇪 Hoooveerphonic, James Bond style song by Sennek who gives a marvellous performance in the catwalk and her futuristic dress is looking amazing. She is comfortable and playing with the camera and minors instabilities in the voice doesn’t matter at all. Good job from Belgium.

9 months ago

ALBANIA 🇦🇱 Onere fo the best voices in this year’s contest and a great rock song performed in Albanian for the first time in the history of Eurovision. Camera work is simply amazing and RTP is clear that they do an amazing job as the work is flawless. Eugent give an amazing vocal performance and the song although dives a bit gets hype again in the chorus. Good ones Albania!

9 months ago

ICELAND 🇮🇸 Simply an amazingly performed ballad by Ari in a song that minds us (the one of the older generation) the good old days of Eurovision. Simple performance and team hug reminding us that all projects is a team-work. No matter if it qualifies Iceland must be proud tonight.

9 months ago

AZERBAIJAN 🇦🇿 What an amazing and stunning opening with a minimalistic stage presentation by the Greek choreographer Fokas Evangelinos and composed by another Greek legend Dimitris Kontopoulos. Stunning vocal performance by Aisel and awesome dance act by Portuguese dancers! Optical visuals of stars surrounding the singer look absolutely amazing. What a wonderful job! Congrats!

9 months ago

With an amazing video intro showing that thee sounds of the city of Lisbon can create music wee are in the Altice arena and the four hostesses are looking amazing in the Eurovision gowns. The show begins!

9 months ago

🇵🇹 EUROPE & AUSTRALIA ARE YOU READY?

9 months ago

Good evening Europe and hello from Altice Arena
The first semi final of Eurovision Song Contest is about to begin. Remember to follow us on http://www.instagram.com/oikotimes as well

Watching the first Semi-Final at the Eurovision Village in Lisbon? Download the app and use the OSRAM light voting feature. Based on your vote several landmark buildings in Lisbon will be lit in different colours.

9 months ago

You can vote up to twenty times, but you cannot vote for the country you are voting from. Televotes make up 50% of the result; the other 50% of tonight’s result has already been determined by a professional jury last night.

9 months ago

🗳 VOTING PROCEDURE TONIGHT
Is your country taking part in tonight’s first Semi-Final or are you living in Spain, the United Kingdom or Portugal? Excellent! You will be able to vote for your favourites. Once all songs have been performed, the voting window will be open for ±15 minutes. Voting is possible via the official Eurovision app, by telephone and SMS through the numbers shown on your screen. Rates and legal terms will be shown on screen as well. Through the official app, you will also receive a special thank-you message from the artists you voted for!

9 months ago

✋ Due to rights limitations, the YouTube live stream is not available in the United States, Canada, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Tonight, 19 countries will take to the stage in Lisbon in the first Semi-Final of the 63rd Eurovision Song Contest: Azerbaijan, Iceland, Albania, Belgium, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Israel, Belarus, Estonia, Bulgaria, F.Y.R. Macedonia, Croatia, Austria, Greece, Finland, Armenia, Switzerland, Ireland and Cyprus. Only ten will qualify for Saturday’s Grand Final, which means nine acts will see their Eurovision dream come to an end tonight.